Tag - MacBook Pro
Apple pulls non-Retina 13-inch MacBook Pros from store displays
Various reports have confirmed that Apple is beginning to remove the 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro, the least expensive model, off the floor of its stores, with clerks steering budget-minded customers towards refurbished Retina models instead. The move comes even as expectations rise about a forthcoming refresh of the MacBook Pro line, which is overdue for a specifications bump and may -- according to rumor -- drop the non-Retina model entirely in the next round of possible upgrades, including a move to Skylake processors and new graphics systems.
Rumor Roundup: WWDC rumors 2 -- Electric Blue-galoo
Yesterday, we made the rookie mistake of saying that our previous Rumor Roundup column would likely be the last before Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference, which kicks off Monday. We're flattered that the rumor mill read that and said to itself "challenge accepted," but as a result here we are again with further revelations, real or imagined, of what is to come. Today, the rumors get a bit wilder -- including the notion of iMessage coming to Android, blue replacing "space gray" as a color option, and some drool-worth CGI mock-ups of what an OLED "function bar" might look like on a new MacBook Pro.
Apple acknowledges Safari glitch affecting 13-inch MacBook Pro users
13-inch MacBook Pro (Retina, Early 2015) users who have been hit by a random Safari browser bug have had their issue formally acknowledged by Apple. The bug started affecting users after the OS X was updated to 10.11.4, although it was said to be noted in beta builds of 10.11.4, but not fixed. Users affected by the bug reported that Safari would freeze and become unresponsive, necessitating a system reboot to resolve the issue. The bug seems to have a link to Adobe Flash Player for Mac, a utility that Apple no longer pre-installs on its Macs.
KGI: New MacBook Pros, 13-inch MacBook to debut later this year
Hit-or-miss KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has used his latest research note to advise KGI investors that he believes Apple is prepping all-new and thinner 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros for a Q4 launch, while it is also planning a Q3 launch of a 13-inch variant of the 12-inch Retina MacBook it recently refreshed. Ming-Chi also said he expects that the MacBook Air line up will not receive further updates, as Apple looks to position it as an entry-level tier, sitting beneath the 12- and 13-inch Retina MacBooks. According to the analyst, the launches of the new flagship MacBooks will be the "brightest spot" in Apple's 2016 product line up, as he has previously played down the forthcoming "iPhone 7."
The Big Deal: Refurbished i7 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro for $1,000
Alongside our regular MacNN Deals and Daily Deals posts, the writers of MacNN occasionally find offers that are interesting or major enough to warrant their own Big Deals post. Today, if you're in the market for a MacBook, we have a pair of offers from Groupon involving refurbished Core i7 15.4-inch MacBook Pro notebooks with Retina displays, at a hefty discount. If you act fast, one of the models can be had for $1,000!
MCE launches PCI-E SSD line for late-model Retina MacBook Pros
MCE Technologies (MCE) has announced that they are now shipping PCIe-based flash storage upgrade solutions made for the late-2013 through mid-2015 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros with Retina Display. In addition to 1TB, 512GB, and 256GB capacity PCIe-based flash storage upgrade solutions for late-2013 through mid-2014 MacBook Pro with Retina Display models, also shipping are 1TB and 512GB capacity PCI-E 3.0-based flash storage upgrade solutions for the early and mid-2015 MacBook Pro with Retina Display models.
OWC debuts SSD upgrades for PCIe Retina MacBook Pro, MacBook Air
Mac upgrade company OWC today announced the all-new Aura SSD for Mid 2013 and later Mac laptops, what the company calls "the most anticipated SSD upgrade release in OWC's history." Available in 480GB and 1.0TB capacities, the new Aura SSD upgrade kits are the first and only PCIe-based flash storage upgrades available for MacBook Pro with Retina display from Late 2013 and newer, in addition to MacBook Air models from Mid 2013 and later.
Apple extends duration of 2011 MacBook Pro GPU repair program
Apple updated its MacBook Pro Repair Extension Program webpage today, and has extended the repair period from three years to four years from its original date of sale. Originally scheduled to end on February 27 for all users, the extension continues to address select MacBook Pro computers that suffer from distorted, or no, video from a GPU failure.
Feature: What we expect to see from Apple on the Mac in 2016
Apple's massive run of success over the past decade has been built on the success of its iOS mobile devices, and we've already taken an in-depth look at what we expect to see from Apple in that space in 2016. However, its Mac lineup continues to make a strong contribution to both Apple's bottom line, as well as a towards Apple's wider overall eco-system. As 2015's 12-inch Retina MacBook shows, the company still produces innovative and beautifully designed Macs. Most of Apple's Mac line up got a refresh in 2015, but some models have now been around for a while in their current form. Read on to see what we would like to see from the Mac side of Apple in 2016.
Apple deals: Macs from $419
Today at Apple's online store, take advantage of bargain pricing on refurbished Apple computers. Starting at $419 is the refurbished Mac mini with a 1.4GHz Intel dual-core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and 500GB hard drive. Priced at $829, after a $270 discount, is the refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.5GHz Intel dual-core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and 500GB hard drive.
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Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj
Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket
The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94
Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa
SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If
Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm
Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
